Man on bicycle on separated cycling lane in Vancouver

Green Transportation

Our goal: Make walking, cycling, and public transit preferred transportation options

We aim to improve your quality of life by making Vancouver a city where moving on foot or by bike is safe, convenient, and enjoyable.

Transit should be fast, frequent, reliable, and accessible, and public spaces should be vibrant.

Read about the:

Progress we've made towards our 2020 target
Actions we will take between now and 2020
Recent successes that have moved us closer to our goals

Our target: Make the majority (over 50%) of trips by foot, bicycle, and public transit

Our target: Reduce the average distance driven per resident by 20% from 2007 levels

Progress we've made so far

Mode Share

Distance Driven

Mode Share Chart

Hover on data points for more information on that year's performance.
To learn more about this metric, see the 'How We Measure Success' section below.

2015-2020 priority actions

Short-term actions for achieving our goals for 2020.
Over the next four years, we will provide better infrastructure to get more people out of their cars and onto their feet, bikes, or public transit.
- 3.1 - Improve walking and cycling infrastructure on the False Creek bridges and implement spot improvements throughout the existing walking and cycling networks.
- 3.2 - Implement a Bike Sharing Program.
- 3.3 - Extend Millennium Line SkyTrain under Broadway to Arbutus.
- 3.4 - Implement transit improvements including new B‐Line routes, more bus service, and station upgrades.

Our successes

Read about our successes in the 2019-2020 Implementation Update Dashboard (531 KB)

How we measure success

The metrics for Green Transportation rely on:
- Annual survey data from Vancouver residents about chosen transportation modes and distances travelled
- Previous Translink Trip Diary survey data, which is conducted every five years; National Census transportation data; city and regional fuel sales data; and ICBC Aircare odometer data
Mode share totals for baseline year (40% of trips in 2008) was based on data gathered through a Translink "Trip Diary" survey that is conducted about once every five years. A new methodology involving an annual Vancouver residents-only survey was introduced in 2013 to capture the same information, and will be used for measuring both Green Transportation indicators going forward.

This metric is maintained by the Transportation Division within Engineering Services at the City.

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Initiatives that are helping us reach our goal and targets

Transportation 2040 Plan

Our plan provides a vision for how people and goods move in and around Vancouver for the next 30 years.

Protected bicycle lanes

Find out about Vancouver's protected bike lanes – how they work, where they are, and how often they get used.

VIVA Vancouver

VIVA Vancouver is the City of Vancouver’s public space innovation platform.

Mobi, our public bike share system

Vancouver’s public bike share program - Mobi, bikes we share – launches in summer 2016. Learn more and sign up.

Public transit

When you need to "go the distance", find pedestrian and bike-friendly alternatives to driving.